Application device for a breathing mask arrangement

ABSTRACT

An application device for a breathing mask arrangement includes a base portion, a holding portion structured to support a mask and pivotally mounted to the base portion for pivotal movement about a first pivcit axis, a right arm element pivotally mounted to the base portion for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis, and a left arm element pivotally mounted to the base portion for pivotal movement about a third pivot axis. The right and left arm elements are each provided with a contact portion for bearing against a right and a left forehead zone respectively of a mask user. The holding portion, the right arm element, and left arm element can be pivoted with respect to the base portion about the respective first, second, and third pivot axes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an application device for a breathing maskarrangement as can be used, for example, in the context of CPAP-therapyfor treating sleep-related respiratory disturbances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the context of what is referred to as CPAP-therapy, a patient can besupplied by way of a breathing mask arrangement with a breathable gas,in particular ambient air, at a pressure level which is above theambient pressure. The increased pressure which is applied by therespiratory gas makes it possible to provide for pneumatic splinting ofthe respiratory tracts and thus to obviate any obstructions. In thatconnection the breathing mask arrangement is worn by the patient overthe entire sleep or rest phase of the patient. The breathing maskarrangement is usually supported by way of a sealing lip zone in theregion around the nose of the person using the mask and by way of aforehead support device in the forehead region of the mask user. Theholding forces required to apply the breathing mask arrangement can beafforded by a fixing device which for example has a headband which ispassed around the back of the head of the mask user. Under somecircumstances, in the region in which the sealing lip device is appliedand in the contact region of the forehead support device, surfacepressures can occur, which result in the level of comfort involved inwearing the breathing mask arrangement being seriously adverselyaffected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide an application devicefor a breathing mask arrangement, by which a breathing mask arrangementcan be reliably held in the application position and which provides morecomfort to the patient.

Another aspect of the invention provides an application device for abreathing mask arrangement. The application device according to oneembodiment includes a forehead support device, wherein the foreheadsupport device has a right arm element and a left arm element and thearm elements are provided with a contact portion provided for bearingagainst a left and right forehead zone respectively and each of the armelements is arranged pivotably movably about a pivot axis.

The application device allows the breathing mask arrangement to besupported in the forehead region of the mask user by way of a foreheadsupport device which can advantageously be adapted to different facialarchitectures.

Another aspect of the invention provides an adjusting drive device fordeflection of the arm elements into a predetermined pivotal position.The adjusting drive device according to one embodiment is designed suchthat both arm elements are pivotable by way of the adjusting drivedevice simultaneously, that is to say at the same time. The adjustingdrive device may include for example an adjusting wheel which, by way ofa screw or spiral drive, is in engagement with actuating members whichare displaceable radially with respect to an axis of rotation of thepivot wheel.

According to one embodiment, the pivot axes of each of arm elements aredirected such that viewed in the application position in a front view,they extend transversely, e.g., substantially perpendicular, withrespect to a transverse line joining the eyebrows. That advantageouslymakes it possible for the forehead support device to be preciselyadapted to the curvature of the forehead of the user of the mask andthereby to precisely set the breathing mask which is held by theapplication device in the region of the contact zone of the sealing lipdevice, which contact zone crosses over the bridge of the nose.

According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the armelements is pivotable about its own pivot axis associated therewith,wherein the pivot axes of the two arm members are spaced from each otherat the level of a transverse line joining the eyebrows. According to oneembodiment, the spacing of two pivot axes of the arm members is between10 and 50 mm at the level of the transverse line joining the eyebrows.The length of the arm members is between about 25 and 75 mm depending onthe respective spacing of the pivot axes.

According to another aspect of the present invention, adaptability ofthe forehead support device to the individual curvature of the foreheadof the user of the mask can be further increased if the pivot axes ofthe arm members are inclined relative to each other through an angle αin the range of 8 and 45° relative to each other. In one embodiment, thestructure defining the pivot axes can be designed in such a way that theangle a of the pivot axes relative to each other is adjustably variable.

In one embodiment, the pivot axes are established in such a way that, inrelation to a front view of a user of the mask, they intersect in theregion between the transverse line joining the eyebrows and the chin ofthe user of the mask. That affords particularly good compatibility inrelation to the facial architectures which statistically predominantlyprevail.

In one embodiment, the pivot axes are each defined by a respective hingedevice. The hinge devices can be, e.g., in the form of multi-part pivotarrangements or film hinges. In one embodiment, the arm members and thehinge basic structures provided for pivotably mounting the arm membersare produced in one piece from a plastic material, for example.Alternatively, the arm members and the hinge basic structures may beintegrally connected with one another.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, theadjusting drive device according to one embodiment includes an adjustingwheel which is coupled by way of a spiral structure to actuatingmembers. Thus, the arm elements can be deflected into defined pivotalpositions. In one embodiment, the adjusting wheel is mounted rotatablyabout an axis which in the application position of the applicationdevice is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the surface of theforehead of the patient. The adjusting wheel of one embodiment has adiameter in the range of 20 and 50 mm and in the outside peripheralregion it is provided with a profiling, e.g., a fluted or groovedstructure, which permits the reliable transmission of the finger forcesfor rotating the adjusting wheel. The adjusting wheel according to oneembodiment is arranged in an intermediate region between a respiratorygas conduit portion of the breathing mask arrangement and a base portionof the forehead support device. In that case it is possible for thefinger forces for rotating the adjusting wheel to be applied by way ofthe thumb and the index finger, for example, in which case therespiratory gas conduit associated with the breathing mask arrangementis embraced by the fingers, by using the thumb and the index finger.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an applicationdevice according to one embodiment for a breathing mask arrangement hasa forehead support device, wherein the forehead support device has aright arm element and a left arm element and both arm elements arepivotably movably coupled to a breathing mask by way of a pivot axis,wherein the pivot axes extend substantially parallel to a transverseline which in the application position of the breathing mask arrangementjoins the eyebrows of a user of the mask and there is provided anadjusting drive device for establishing the pivotal position of the armelements.

The forehead support device may be used to adjust the contact pressureof a zone of the sealing lip device, which passes across the bridge ofthe nose of a user of the mask.

Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of thisdisclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of thisinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the variousembodiments of this invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the face region of a person to illustratecontact zones of a forehead support device and orientations of the pivotaxes of pivotally mounted arm elements,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an adjustingdrive device for adjustably pivoting the arm elements,

FIG. 2B is a bottom view an adjusting wheel of the adjusting drivedevice shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view to illustrate the structureof an embodiment of the adjusting drive, which is provided with filmhinge structures,

FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view to illustrate an embodimentof the adjusting drive device having a film hinge and a spiral grooveregion which is provided at an underside of the adjusting wheel andwhich is directly in engagement with an engagement portion of an armelement,

FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of anadjusting drive device having an arm element which is mounted pivotablyby way of a pivot pin zone,

FIG. 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of an application deviceprovided with a breathing mask arrangement,

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an applicationdevice having an integrated forehead support device for the applicationof a breathing mask,

FIG. 8 shows a side view of an embodiment of a breathing maskapplication device having a breathing mask arrangement pivotably movablyaccommodated therein,

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a holding portion ofan application device, which is provided for coupling to a breathingmask arrangement, and

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an applicationdevice for a breathing mask arrangement as can be fitted for exampleonto a respiratory gas conduit portion of a breathing mask.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a front view illustrating the surface of the face of a userof a breathing mask arrangement. For application or fitting of abreathing mask arrangement it is applied for example to the face of themask user in such a way that a sealing lip contact zone 1 defined by asealing lip device of the breathing mask arrangement and the surface ofthe face of the mask user, starting from the upper lip region 2, extendsaround the nostrils 3 to the bridge of the nose 4 and, e.g., passesacross same at the level of the eyes.

The breathing mask arrangement according to one embodiment is supportedon the forehead region of the mask user by way of a forehead supportdevice which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. As shownin FIG. 1, support on the forehead region is implemented by way of twocontact zones 7, 8 which are disposed above a transverse line 6 whichjoins the eyebrows 5. In the view illustrated, support for the breathingmask arrangement in the forehead region is implemented at two contactzones 7, 8, wherein the spacing of the centroids S₁, S₂ of the contactzones 7, 8 approximately corresponds to the spacing between the eyes ofthe mask user. However, the spacing of the centroids S₁, S₂ of thecontact zones 7, 8 may be greater than or less than the spacing betweenthe eyes of the mask user. In the illustrated embodiment, the contactpressure of the sealing lip device of the breathing mask arrangement inthe region of the sealing lip contact zone 1 is adjustably variable bycontact elements that are pivotable about pivot axes X₀, X₁, X₁′, X₂,X₂′ and about a transverse axis Y₀.

Support for the breathing mask arrangement on the face of the mask usercan be implemented by the application device which is described ingreater detail hereinafter, in such .a way that the breathing maskarrangement and the forehead support device are supported on the face ofthe mask user substantially at three mutually spaced zones. In theforehead region in that case the forehead support device is supported atthe contact zones 7, 8. The breathing mask arrangement is supported onthe face of the mask user by way of the sealing lip contact zone 1. Thefact that the application device and the breathing mask arrangement aresupported on the face of the mask user at three main supporting zonesadvantageously provides that the breathing mask is supported in astatically defined manner. In one embodiment, the holding forces forholding the forehead support device in the forehead region are appliedby way of an upper headband arrangement. For fixing the breathing maskarrangement in the nose region, a lower belt arrangement is provided, byway of which the breathing mask arrangement is urged against the surfaceof the face of the mask user by pulling forces 9 and 10 which actthereon at both sides and which are directed laterally relative to thecheeks. In one embodiment, the pulling forces 9, 10 are applied by alower belt arrangement which is passed around the region of the back ofthe head of the mask user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot axes X₀, X₁, X₁′, X₂, X₂′ whichpermit adjustment of the support configuration of the forehead supportdevice extend away from the forehead region towards the upper lip region2 of the user of the mask. The axes X₁, X₂ shown in FIG. 1 are orientedin mutually parallel relationship and spaced from each other by aspacing a which substantially corresponds to the width of the bridge ofthe nose, in particular the width of the bridge of the nose in theregion of the tear duct openings of the mask user.

The pivot axes X₁′, X₂′ shown in FIG. 1 which are inclined relative toeach other are also spaced in the region of the width a of the bridge ofthe nose, at the level of the contact zones 7 and 8. The axes X₁′, X₂′are inclined relative to each other at an angle a which is selected suchthat the two axes intersect in the region between the base of the noseand the chin 11 of the mask user.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view that shows an embodiment of an adjustingdrive 12, by way of which the pivotal position of a left arm element 14and a right arm element 15 can be altered adjustably with respect to abase portion 16.

In this case the adjusting drive 12 includes a coupling member 17associated with the left arm element 14 and a coupling member 18associated with the right arm element 15.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the two coupling members 17, 18is provided with at least one engagement portion 19, 21 which is inengagement with an adjusting wheel 22 which is shown here in a positionof having been lifted off, by way of a spiral structure 23 provided atthe underside of the adjusting wheel 22 (see FIG. 2B). By rotating theadjusting wheel 22 about its axis of rotation 24, the engagementportions 19, 21, as indicated by the arrow symbols 25, 26, are displacedin the radial direction jointly with the coupling members 17, 18.

In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling members 17, 18 are coupledmovably to the left and right arm elements 14, 15 respectivelyassociated therewith. In the illustrated embodiment coupling of thecoupling members 17, 18 to the arm elements 14, 15 associated therewithis effected in each case by way of a hinge portion 27 and 28respectively which permits a pivotal movement of the coupling member 17,18 with respect to the arm element 14, 15 associated therewith. The arm,elements 14, 15 are coupled to the base portion 16 by way of a hingeconnection 29, 30. The hinge connections 29, 30 are here in the form offilm hinges. In this case the arm elements 14, 15 are formed integrallywith the base portion 16. The hinge connections 29, 30 define the pivotaxes X₁, X₁′ and X₂, X₂′ respectively referred to hereinbefore inconnection with FIG. 1. As a consequence of the pair of forces appliedto the respective arm element in the region of the hinge portions 27, 28and the hinge connections 29, 30, the respective arm element can bemoved with respect to the base portion 16 into a pivotal position whichis defined by the radial spacing of the engagement portion 19, 21 fromthe axis of rotation 24. The maximum radial stroke movement of theengagement portions 19, 21 and the spatial position of the hingeportions and the hinge connections 27, 28 29, 30 are so selected that,for example in a range of rotary movement of the adjusting wheel 22through an angle of rotation of 540° , it is possible to adjust a pivotangle β of the arm elements 14, 15 in the range of 0 to 40°.

The arm elements 14, 15 may be movably connected to the base portion 16in any other known manner to allow relative movement between the armelements 14, 15 and the base portion 16. For example, the arm elements14, 15 may be slidably connected to the base portion 16 or the armelements 14, 15 may be connected to the base portion 16 such that thearm elements 14, 15 may bend with respect to the base portion 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adjusting wheel 22 is made from aplastic material and fitted by way of a central rotary trunnion orprojection (not shown) into a bore 31 provided in the base portion 16.The adjusting wheel 22 has a diameter in the range of 35 to 55 mm,preferably 45 mm, and on its outside it is provided with a marking 32which indicates the adjusting effect achieved by rotating the adjustingwheel 22.

In the embodiment illustrated, the base portion 16 is coupled by way ofa further hinge connection 33 to a holding portion 34. The hingeconnection 33 illustrated defines the pivot axis Y₀ indicated in FIG. 1.The pivotal movement of the holding portion 34 with respect to the baseportion 16 is effected in the same manner as described hereinbefore withrespect to the left and right arm elements 14, 15 by way of a couplingmember 35 which is in engagement with the adjusting wheel 22 by way ofan engagement portion 36 and is movable in the radial direction withrespect to the axis of rotation 24, as indicated by the arrow symbol 37.The holding portion 34 is connected to a mask base body portion of abreathing mask arrangement by way of an intermediate structure which isnot shown in detail here.

Mounted to the left and right arm elements 14, 15 as will be describedin greater detail hereinafter, are contact pads by way of which the armelements 14, 15 bear against the contact zones 7, 8 (FIG. 1) of the maskuser.

As will also be described in greater detail hereinafter, the armelements 14, 15 can be pulled onto the forehead region of the mask userby way of an upper headband arrangement, for example.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the adjusting drive 12 in which a couplingmember 18 which is movable radially relative to the axis of rotation 24of the adjusting wheel 22 is preferably formed in one piece with the armelement 15 associated therewith, in which case sufficient pivotalmobility is achieved by way of a film hinge structure 38. The baseportion 16 is also preferably formed in one piece with the arm element15 and is coupled thereto similarly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 byway of a hinge connection 30 which is also in the form of a film hinge.The portions at which forces are applied, as defined by the film hingestructure 38 and the hinge connection 30, are spaced from each other insuch a way that, as a consequence of the radial stroke movement of thecoupling member 18 which can be adjusted by the adjusting wheel 22, itis possible to achieve an adequate pivotal angle β of the arm element15.

The adjusting wheel 22 is rotatably mounted on a rotary trunnion orprojection 39 which stands up from the base portion 16. The underside ofthe adjusting wheel 22, which faces towards the base portion 16, has thespiral structures, like the above-described embodiment, which are inengagement with the engagement portion 21 provided integrally with thecoupling member 18.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the adjusting drive 12. In thisembodiment, the adjusting drive 12 includes an adjusting wheel 22coupled rotatably to the base portion 16 by way of a rotary trunnion orprojection 40. Provided on the underside of the adjusting wheel 22,which faces towards the base portion 16, is a spiral structure 41 whichis directly in engagement with an engagement portion 19′ provided on thearm element 14. The arm element 14 is pivotably movably coupled to thebase portion 16 by way of a hinge connection 29 which in this case alsois in the form of a film hinge. Rotation of the adjusting wheel 22 aboutthe axis of rotation 24 defined by the rotary trunnion 14 makes itpossible to set different spacings of the engagement portion 19′ fromthe axis of rotation 24, whereby the arm element 14 is pivotable withrespect to the base portion 16 into respectively desired pivotalpositions.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of an adjusting drive 12, in whichthe base portion 16 and the arm element 14 are in the form of separateparts which are coupled together by way of a hinge device 43. Providedon the arm element 14 is a knob 44 to which the coupling member 17 ispivotably mounted. Similarly to the embodiments described hereinbefore,the coupling member 17 has an engagement portion 19 which is inengagement with the adjusting wheel 22 by way of a spiral structure 23.By rotation of the adjusting wheel 22, the coupling member 17 can bedisplaced in a defined manner in the radial direction and, in so doing,pivots the arm element about the hinge device 43 into a defined angularposition with respect to the base portion 16. Braking structure may beprovided, by which the adjusting wheel 22 can be sufficiently firmlyfixed in a desired rotational position. Braking structure may beembodied, for example, by fine latching or detent projections which comeinto and out of engagement respectively in the course of relativemovement of the components which are moved relative to each other, suchmovement being made by the inherent elasticity of the parts involved.The spiral structure 23 may be designed in such a way that it issubstantially self-locking.

FIG. 6 shows an application device according to one embodiment with abreathing mask arrangement 44 accommodated therein. The breathing maskarrangement 44 includes a mask base body 45 and a sealing lip device 46which is coupled thereto. The sealing lip device 46 is made from anelastomer material, e.g., fully transparent silicone rubber, and in theapplication position sealingly contacts the sealing lip contact zone 1of the mask user, as shown in FIG. 1. The feed of the respiratory gasinto the interior of the mask which is defined by the mask base body 45is effected by way of a flexible conduit portion 47 which in theillustrated embodiment is also made from an elastomer material and is inthe form of a bellows structure. Connected to the flexible conduitportion is a breathing hose connecting portion 48 which has an insidediameter in the range of 12 and 35 mm. The breathing hose connectingportion 48 is coupled to the base portion 16 of the forehead supportdevice. In the illustrated embodiment, the forehead support device 16includes an adjusting wheel 22 disposed in an intermediate regionbetween the flexible conduit portion 47 or the breathing hose connectingportion 48 and the base portion 16. The adjusting wheel 22 can be turnedby the user of the mask by gripping around the flexible conduit portion47, by way of the fingertips of the thumb and the index finger of theuser of the mask, for example. Rotating the adjusting wheel 22 allowsthe arm elements 14 and 15 to be pivoted about the pivot axis X_(n). Asa result, a forehead pad 49 which is provided for making contact withthe forehead region of the mask user can be adjustably positioned withrespect to the base portion 16. Provided on the arm element 15 (14) isan eye portion 50, through which a portion of an upper headbandarrangement 51 may pass.

In the embodiment illustrated, the base portion 16 is pivotably movablyconnected to a holding portion 34 by way of the hinge connection 33. Theholding portion 34 is of a frame-like configuration and embraces themask base body 45 at least in the side region thereof. Also provided onthe holding portion 34 are eye portions 52 through which a portion of alower headband arrangement (not shown) can be passed. As an alternativeto the design configuration involving the eye portions 52 or also incombination therewith, other coupling structures may be provided forcoupling the holding portion 34 or the mask base body 45 to a headbandarrangement.

Pivotal movement of the base portion 16 about the pivot axis Y₀ which isdefined by the hinge connection 33 is effected in this embodimentsimultaneously with the pivotal movement of the arm members 14, 15 aboutthe axes X₁, X₂.

The breathing hose connecting portion 48 is coupled to the base portion16. As shown in FIG. 6, coupling is effected by way of a holding foot 53which is guided past the adjusting wheel 22. The holding foot 53 isfitted onto a plug connecting portion of the base portion 16 andprovided with a retaining device 54 by which an end portion of arespiratory gas conduit, which is coupled to the breathing hoseconnecting portion 48, is additionally fixed. Th_(e) forehead pads 49that bear against the forehead of the mask user are displaceably mountedto the respective arm element 14, 15.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of an application device for a breathingmask, in which the left arm element 14, the right arm element 15 and theholding portion 34 can be tilted about the axes X₁, X₂ and Y₀respectively in a defined manner by way of the adjusting drive 12 whichis actuable by an adjusting wheel 22. The tilting movement of thosecomponents is effected in each case by way of the coupling members 17,18 and 35 which are associated with those parts. Support for the armelements 14, 15 against the forehead region of a mask user is by way ofthe forehead pads 49 which have already been referred to with referenceto FIG. 6 and which in this embodiment can be inserted into insertopenings 55 provided on the respective arm elements 14 and 15.

In the illustrated embodiment, the holding portion 34 is made from ahigh-strength plastic material, e.g., polyamide, and is of a frame-likeconfiguration. However, the holding portion 34 may be made from anyother suitable material. The holding portion 34 includes two holdingarms 56, 57 which are each provided with a respective eye portion 52through which an end portion of a lower belt arrangement can be passed.

The holding arms 56, 57 are provided with an engagement structure 58,59by way of which the holding arms can be brought into engagement with amask base body. Fixing of the mask base body in the holding portion 34is further effected by a retaining or latching projection 60 which isformed, e.g., integrally with the holding portion 34. Provided on a sideof the base portion 16, which is remote from the holding portion 34, isa push-on portion 61, onto which a breathing hose connecting portion canbe fitted. The breathing hose connecting portion 48, as indicated inFIG. 6, can serve to conduct the respiratory gas into the interior ofthe mask, as is defined by a mask base body.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of an application device which is providedwith a breathing mask arrangement 44 and which, similarly to theembodiments described hereinbefore, includes an adjusting drive 12, byway of which the arm elements 14, 15 which project on both sides from abase portion 16 of the adjusting drive 12, can be adjustably pivoted. Atshown in FIG. 8, the mask base body 45 is tiltable, independently of theadjusting movement of the arm elements which is caused by the adjustingdrive 12, about a pivot axis Y₁ which extends approximately in theregion of the zone of the sealing lip device, which is adjacent to thenostrils of a mask user, and which extends substantially parallel to atransverse line 6 joining the eyebrows. The pivotal position of the maskbase body 45 with respect to the holding portion 34 can be fixed by anarresting device 62. A sufficient relative mobility of the mask basebody 45 with respect to a breathing hose connecting portion 48 providedfor the connection of a respiratory gas conduit is achieved by aflexible conduit portion 47, as is provided also in the embodiment shownin FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the mask base body is produced in onepiece with a sealing lip device 46 from a elastomer material, e.g.,silicone rubber. The breathing hose connecting portion 48 in thisembodiment is rigidly coupled to the base portion 16 and is made from ahard thermoplastic material, for example.

The arm elements 14, 15 include forehead pads 49′ mounted thereto, asshown in FIG. 8, which are provided to bear against the surface of theforehead of the mask user, the forehead pads 49′ being suspendedtiltably on trunnions or projections 62 which are formed, e.g.,integrally with the respective arm element 15, 14. Disposed between thetrunnions 62 there is an eye portion 50 for passing therethrough an endportion of an upper band arrangement. The base portion 16 may be guideddisplaceably on an arm portion 53 a which extends from the holdingportion 34 to the holding foot 53. As a result, the vertical spacing ofthe forehead support device from the sealing lip device 46 may bevariably altered.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the holding portion 34, as can beused for example in relation to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.In the illustrated embodiment, the holding portion 34 is provided with acoupling structure which is provided for coupling a mask base body (notshown). Thus, the mask base body can be coupled to the holding portion34 in different coupling positions.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a forehead support device which can befitted by way of a breathing hose connecting portion 48 onto aconnecting part 64 of a breathing mask.

In the illustrated embodiment, the breathing hose connecting portion 48is coupled to a base portion 16 of the forehead support device 16 by wayof a holding foot 53. By way of an adjusting wheel 22 arranged betweenthe breathing hose connecting portion 48 and the base portion 16, thecoupling members 17, 18 may be adjustably moved in a direction radiallywith respect to the axis of rotation 24 of the adjusting wheel 22. Thearm elements 14, 15 may be pivoted about the axes X₁, X₂ by suitablepositioning of the coupling members 17, 18.

As shown in FIG. 10, the arm elements 14, 15 include forehead contactpads 49 mounted thereto by way of which the arm elements 14, 15 aresupported on the forehead region of a mask user. Provided in the regionof the forehead pads 49 on the arm elements 14, 15 are eye portions 50through which the respective end portion of an upper belt arrangementcan be passed.

It can thus be appreciated that the aspects of the present inventionhave been fully and effectively accomplished. The foregoing specificembodiments have been provided to illustrate the structural andfunctional principles of the present invention, and are not intended tobe limiting. To the contrary, the present invention is intended toencompass all modifications, alterations, and substitutions within thespirit and scope of the detailed description.

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A breathing mask, comprising: a frame; a sealingstructure supported by the frame and adapted to form a seal with auser's face; a forehead support provided to the frame; and afinger-operated adjusting wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation toadjust a position of the forehead support relative to the frame.
 26. Abreathing mask according to claim 25, wherein the axis of rotation isadapted to extend substantially perpendicular to a surface of thepatient's forehead.
 27. A breathing mask according to claim 25, whereinthe forehead support includes a left arm element and a right armelement.
 28. A breathing mask according to claim 27, wherein the leftand right arm elements include forehead pads.
 29. A breathing maskaccording to claim 27, wherein the adjusting wheel is structured tosimultaneously adjust a position of the left and right arm elementsrelative to the frame.
 30. A breathing mask according to claim 25,wherein the adjusting wheel is adapted to be rotated by only one hand ofthe mask user.
 31. A breathing mask according to claim 25, wherein theadjusting wheel is adapted to be rotated by way of the fingertips of thethumb and the index finger of the mask user.
 32. A breathing maskaccording to claim 25, wherein the adjusting wheel is coupled to theforehead support by a drive mechanism.
 33. A breathing mask according toclaim 32, wherein the drive mechanism includes a screw-type drivemechanism.
 34. A breathing mask according to claim 32, wherein the drivemechanism includes a spiral-type drive mechanism including a spiralstructure provided to the adjusting wheel operatively engaged with anactuating member provided to the forehead support.
 35. A breathing maskaccording to claim 32, wherein the drive mechanism is self-locking. 36.A breathing mask according to claim 25, wherein the adjusting wheelincludes profiling along an outside peripheral region thereof.
 37. Abreathing mask according to claim 25, wherein the profiling includes afluted or grooved structure.
 38. A breathing mask according to claim 25,wherein the adjusting wheel includes a marking to indicate an adjustingeffect achieved by rotating the adjusting wheel.
 39. A breathing maskaccording to claim 25, wherein the forehead support is movable into adefined position by the adjusting wheel.
 40. A breathing mask accordingto claim 25, wherein the forehead support includes arm elements thatadapted to be maintained in a substantially horizontal position withrespect to the patient's forehead while the adjusting wheel is rotatedabout the axis of rotation.
 41. A breathing mask, comprising: a frame; asealing structure supported by the frame and adapted to form a seal witha user's face; a forehead support provided to the frame; and anadjusting dial to adjust a position of the forehead support relative tothe frame, the adjustable dial rotatable about an axis of rotationadapted to extend substantially perpendicular to a surface of thepatient's forehead.
 42. A breathing mask according to claim 41, whereinthe adjusting dial is adapted to be rotated by only one hand of the maskuser.
 43. A breathing mask according to claim 41, wherein the foreheadsupport includes arm elements that adapted to be maintained in asubstantially horizontal position with respect to the patient's foreheadwhile the adjusting dial is rotated about the axis of rotation.
 44. Abreathing mask according to claim 40, wherein the adjusting dial iscoupled to the forehead support by a screw-type drive mechanism.